Katarzyna Petru
The Xbox app has still not made it to either Apple TV or Google TV, but there are alternatives that allow you to play Xbox games on other TVs in the home – via local Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The editorial team at FlatpanelsHD tested three available solutions to see which works best.
This is not the first time we have tried to bring console gaming to other screens — previously we described a way to run games from PlayStation on Apple TV and Google TV (using the PXPlay app). This time we are focusing on the Xbox, where unfortunately there is no single perfect app for both platforms.
Xbox on Apple TV
The best solution for the Apple ecosystem turned out to be the OneCast app. It can be tested for free for 7 days, and the full version costs $15 (a one-time purchase covers Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad). OneCast allows you to stream games not only from your own console at home but also from the Xbox Cloud – although in this guide, we focus on local playback. It supports both Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
The setup process is not the most convenient — it is necessary to log into your Xbox account via a browser (not on Apple TV). This is a requirement from Microsoft if we want to use the Remote Play feature.
During the tests, we ran titles including Dirt and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Both titles ran smoothly, with low latency — even slightly lower than with PXPlay for PlayStation. The image is compressed, but when switching to “1080p HQ” mode, it looks really decent.
Important: OneCast streams only in 1080p SDR. There is no 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos sound. It works best via Ethernet cable – Wi-Fi increases latency and the risk of stuttering.
Remember to manually enable “Game” mode on the TV, as the application will not do this automatically.
Sound, Control and Minor Issues
There is no support for Dolby Atmos, but you can connect AirPods to Apple TV – spatial audio with head tracking even works, providing a taste of surround sound. Interestingly, you can also play using the DualSense controller from PS5.
A drawback is that the Xbox console can automatically turn on the TV connected via HDMI when we start streaming from another room. This can be circumvented by turning off HDMI-CEC on the console, but then the Xbox will no longer automatically turn on the main TV. Despite these drawbacks — for $15, OneCast is a great way for example, for children to play in a room without the need to buy a second console.
Xbox on Google TV
On devices with Google TV, the situation is more complicated. The application XBPlay, which also supported the Steam Deck, was originally functioning but was withdrawn on 30 September. Instead, there is an alternative with an almost identical name – XBXPlay, costing 7 dollars.
The setup is even more cumbersome than in OneCast – you have to log into your Xbox account on the TV screen using the Google virtual keyboard. Fortunately, you only need to do this once.
Experience and Performance Quality
ChooseTV connects via Xbox Remote Play, but it cannot wake the console from sleep mode — this has to be done manually. Similar to OneCast, Xbox powers on the TV connected via HDMI, which can only be disabled in the console’s HDMI-CEC settings. When connected via Wi-Fi, the latency is noticeable, especially on Chromecasts, so Ethernet is a must. Over the cable, the game runs smoothly with minimal input lag.
The stream quality is 1080p SDR without HDR and without Dolby Atmos. ChooseTV offers a lot of settings and works seamlessly with Xbox and DualSense controllers, which can be paired via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, we noticed that the controllers do not automatically turn off when Google TV goes into sleep mode — this seems to be a system bug. This issue does not occur on Apple TV.
Overall impression? ChooseTV works well, though not as “smoothly” as OneCast on Apple TV. But for $7, it is a fair option for Xbox fans in the Google ecosystem.
Summary
Platform | Application | Price | Resolution | HDR / Atmos | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apple TV | OneCast | $15 | 1080p SDR | ❌ / ❌ | Stable, smooth, good quality |
Google TV | XBXPlay | $7 | 1080p SDR | ❌ / ❌ | Works, but requires Ethernet |
PXPlay (PlayStation) | – | $5 | 1080p / 4K | ✔️ / ✔️ | The most refined solution |
If you want to play Xbox games on a television in another room – OneCast on Apple TV is currently the best solution. It works stably, supports controllers, AirPods, and provides sufficiently good image quality.
On Google TV, it can be done via XBXPlay, but be prepared for more configuration and the need to use an Ethernet cable. It's not yet the perfect solution, but it allows you to turn any television in the house into a mini-Xbox – without buying another console.
Source: Flatpanelshd
